I have been wanting to blog about this for some time…but I have only just found the time! It is about our trip to The National Museum on National Day!

Besides the Museum offering FREE Admission to all that day, it had a children’s program for all visitors as well! Based on the theme
“The Swinging Sixties”, there were lots of games and activities based on that era!

The Fun Fair was designed in such a way that you had to complete all the activities to get a special prize!

Here’s a picture of my enthusiastic models with their game cards!

Basically, as the games were based on those that were played in the 1960s, the booths were all very simple in design. However, the games still required a lot of skill, and they were still a challenge for the adults and children. From tossing the hoop into the cans, the kids also had to shoot at objects with a toy gun! Full marks to the museum for their creativity!

One of the booths that the family enjoyed, was when we were given the chance to make our own badges!

Here is a sample of the badges that we could make:

Cool right! With the vision of our badges presented to us, the kids got into a colouring mode.

 

After colouring our papers, we brought them to the staff manning the machines. With a pull of the lever…

The kids all loved it… and many families all huddled together to make their badges…

There was even a dance workshop, so that you can swing like the “Swinging Sixties”

Daddy’s Favourite activity was the 60’s costume dress-up.

The queue was mega long, and we were blessed to be one of the last families that had a chance to dress up!

Check out Elvis…:)

And Baby Elvis…

And my little La Mei! (Spice Girl)

 

And of course…the Psychedelic family

Museum Day is really fun…and the family are converts! Look out for Museum events as they are really cool…and best of all…it’s FREE!

I am always looking for new places to bring the kids and today I decided to bring them on the HSBC Tree Top Walk at MacRitchie Reservoir.

The reservoir has existed since I was a small boy. However, I was unfamiliar with where the entrance to the Tree Top Walk was.

I did some research and to my surprise, the nearest entrance to the Tree Top walk is at Venus Avenue which is located after Thomson Plaza (Towards Sembawang). This is very much further from the main entrance of the MacRitchie reservoir, which most of us are used to. 

In fact, this is found off Thompson Road, in the direction of Singapore Island Country Club.

The HSBC Tree Top walk is open at these times:

Tue – Fri: 9am to 5pm

Sat, Sun and Public Holidays: 830am to 5pm

Closed on Mondays

Most of us who have kids think that after we park our cars,  the HSBC Tree Top Walk would not be too far away.

Well, Be Warned: This TREE TOP WALK…

 IS NOT CHILD FRIENDLY AT ALL!!!

First of all, forget about your strollers and prams! You will face undulating terrain!

It is like Army Terrain found in Lim Chu Kang, and most of the time, you are walking along the ala Cross Country Trek that you ran on in secondary school. Check out more of the terrain below:

Not only did we have to deal with the terrain, but we Walked…

The hike is actually about 2.6km to the Ranger Station which leads you to the entrance of the HSBC Tree Top Walk.

However, there were animals that kept us company along the way. The monkeys are actually quite tame and the kids got used to seeing them!

By the time, we reached the ranger station, which was the starting point of the Tree Top walk, the kids and myself included were soaking wet in perspiration.

We then proceeded to the Tree Top Walk which was going to be another 2.5km in distance.

This is the grand entrance of the promise land! We were so happy when we reached this entrance.

The bridge is a 250 m aerial free standing suspension bridge spanning Bukit Peirce and Bukit Kalang which are the two highest points in MacRitchie. Completed in July 2004, the structure is 25 m at its highest point, and offers visitors a panoramic view of Upper Peirce Reservoir and the surrounding lush rainforest.

Narrow and only one and a half man wide, the bridge is also the place of no return! Once on the bridge, you CANNOT turn back!

Walking into Tree Top structure, the kids were greeted with an awesome bridge, that brought us above the tree tops. Even my 20 months little girl, was on the ground and walking!

Here are some pictures of the Promise Land. Check out the greenery and wonderful surroundings!

 

There were also signs along the way to describe the scenery and vegetation.

After the wonderful view, then came the bad news! It was going to be a 2km walk back to the ranger station!

Check out the long staircases that we had to walk down!

There were in Total…

Check out Nicole’s Dance of Victory!

If you are thinking of going there, here are some simple tips for parents:

Important Parenting Tips:

Parenting Tip No.1:

Do not follow the directions given by the National Parks and park at the Venus Avenue Car Park.

Instead park at the PUB installation off Singapore Island Country Club. Parking here will reduce the walking distance by at least 2.6km.

To find this road, enter Venus Avenue and follow the directions to Island Country Club. Keep on driving past Island Country Club and you will be driving up a hill towards the PUB installation.

Parenting Tip No.2:

I was the only parent there with kids that young! Most of the kids there were in Primary School.  In fact, most of the time, I was carrying my 20 month old baby.

So, if you do go, travel light, and drink lots of water!

Parenting Tip No.3:

Apply lots of  Mosquito repellent.

The Tropical Rainforest is full of insects and mosquitoes, and therefore go with lots of protection!